The Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) has asked The Pensions Regulator (TPR) whether it is taking any action following reports that members of the West Midlands Pension Fund (WMPF) have experienced “significant delays” as a result of the fund's transition to a new administrator.

The WMPF previously confirmed that it had seen a drop in service delivery performance following the transition to a new administration system in July last year, with members transitioning to retirement impacted by delays and reduced customer servicing times.

However, the fund said in February that it had been working with its software supplier to increase resource and further develop the system efficiencies and processing times, with a three-fold increase in the processing of retirement benefits seen as a result.

Despite this, the Work and Pensions Committee has now reached out to the regulator to ask about its responsibilities in cases of this kind, and whether TPR were aware of the WMPF’s intention to move to a new administration system and, if so, whether it provided any guidance.

The committee also asked when TPR first became aware of the problems WMPF was experiencing with its new pensions administration system, and who made them aware.

In addition to this, it asked for an outline of the problems TPR have seen and the extent of detriment to scheme members (including the number affected and by how much), TPR's response to date, including the extent of contact with the scheme and the resources TPR have devoted to it, and when it expects things to return to normal.

The committee also queried whether TPR are expecting the fund to provide any compensation to those affected.

Commenting in response to the letter, West Midlands Pension Fund executive director of pensions, Rachel Brothwood, said: “We are aware of the letter the Work and Pensions Committee has written to TPR.

“Prior to its publication, we have openly and proactively engaged with The Pensions Regulator following the change in our pensions administration system last year, noting the subsequent impact on the delivery of services to some of our members.

“Through an active programme of stakeholder engagement, we are committed to keeping both our customers and wider stakeholders up to date with progress and the recovery of service standards.

"Member information and support continues to be published and accessible via our website and through emails to our members and employers, with the latest information available here.

“We will be updating our customers and wider stakeholders on our progress next week. Copies of our statements will be available on our website once published.”

---